The Atlanta Falcons “Dirty Bird”: What It Means and How Atlanta Still Celebrates It

If you spend any time around Atlanta Falcons fans, you’ll eventually hear about the “Dirty Bird.” For longtime Atlantans, it’s more than just an old touchdown dance – it’s a symbol of a certain era, attitude, and pride in the city’s NFL team.

This guide breaks down what the Dirty Bird is, where it came from, and how you’ll still see and feel it around Atlanta, Georgia today.

What Is the Atlanta Falcons “Dirty Bird”?

The Dirty Bird started as a famous touchdown dance used by Atlanta Falcons players in the late 1990s. Over time, it turned into:

• A team identity and nickname (“Dirty Birds”)
• A fan chant and hand motion in the stands
• A piece of Atlanta sports culture that still shows up on game days

When people in Atlanta say “Dirty Bird”, they might be talking about:

• The original dance
• The late-’90s Falcons teams (especially the 1998 Super Bowl run)
• Falcons fans in general (“Rise Up, Dirty Birds!”)
• The broader, gritty, underdog Atlanta football mindset

How the Dirty Bird Started: A Quick History

The 1998 Season and Jamal Anderson

The Dirty Bird is most closely tied to Jamal Anderson, the Falcons’ Pro Bowl running back. During the 1998 season, the Falcons had a breakout year, and Anderson’s end zone dance quickly became a signature celebration.

The classic version looked like:

• Arms bent at the elbows like wings
• Hands flapping in front of the chest
• Bouncy, rhythmic motion, usually while walking or stomping in place

Falcons players on the 1998 NFC Championship team joined in, and fans across Atlanta copied the move in:

• Living rooms
• Sports bars
• The stands at the Georgia Dome

Even if you weren’t a die-hard football fan, you probably saw the Dirty Bird all over Atlanta TV, radio, and local sports talk during that run.

Why the Dirty Bird Matters in Atlanta

A Symbol of Underdog Atlanta

For many Atlantans, the Dirty Bird represents:

• A scrappy, overlooked team finally getting national attention
• A moment when Atlanta sports felt unified and electric
• The city’s own style, mixing football, personality, and a little attitude

It’s one of the first times the Falcons brand felt deeply tied to the culture of Atlanta itself, not just to the NFL.

A Shared Memory for Longtime Fans

If you meet a Falcons fan who has been around the city since the 1990s, the Dirty Bird is probably one of their core memories:

• The noise of the Georgia Dome
• Red and black everywhere
• Fans doing the dance in the aisles after big plays

This makes the Dirty Bird a kind of Atlanta nostalgia marker. Even younger fans who weren’t there often learn about it from family, local highlights, or video clips shown during games.

How You’ll See the Dirty Bird in Atlanta Today

You may not see players use the original version on every touchdown now, but the Dirty Bird hasn’t disappeared. Around Atlanta, it shows up in several ways.

1. At Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Game Day

The Falcons now play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Address: 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

On a home game day, you might notice:

• Fan sections doing the Dirty Bird after a big play
• The Falcons drumline and DJ pumping up older and newer chants
• Video board throwbacks showcasing Jamal Anderson and classic highlights
• Occasional theme days or nods to past eras, where the Dirty Bird gets extra attention

If you’re visiting Atlanta, attending a Falcons home game is the most direct way to experience the Dirty Bird energy in person.

2. Local Sports Bars and Fan Hangouts

Around Atlanta, especially on Sundays in the fall, Falcons fans gather in:

• Sports bars in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and the Battery area
• Neighborhood spots in places like Decatur, East Atlanta, and West Midtown

You may see:

• Fans doing a half-joking Dirty Bird dance after touchdowns
• Older fans teaching younger ones “how to do it right”
• Local TV replays showing classic Anderson highlights before or during games

If you mention the Dirty Bird to a bartender or regular Falcons fan, they’ll almost always know exactly what you’re talking about.

3. Youth and High School Football Culture

While high school and youth coaches in Atlanta often emphasize team discipline and sportsmanship, you’ll still see bits of Dirty Bird culture:

• Kids imitating Falcons celebrations they’ve seen on TV
• Older volunteers or parents reminiscing about the 1998 team
• Occasional sideline jokes about someone “breaking out the Dirty Bird”

It’s less about copying the exact choreography and more about the attitude and tradition behind it.

How to Do the Dirty Bird (Basic Version)

If you want to join in with Atlanta fans, here’s a simple version you can use at a game or viewing party.

Important: Keep it light and fun. Be aware of your space and the people around you.

Step-by-step Dirty Bird

1. Stand with some bounce

   • Feet about shoulder-width apart
   • Knees slightly bent, relaxed

2. Tuck your elbows at your sides

   • Forearms out in front of you
   • Hands open, palms facing inward or down

3. Flap like wings

   • Move your forearms up and down in a flapping motion
   • Keep it controlled and rhythmic, not wild

4. Add a slight forward walk or stomp

   • Take small steps or stomp in place
   • Let your shoulders and upper body move with the rhythm

5. Bring some Atlanta attitude

   • Light head nods, small twists, confident posture
   • It’s not just a dance; it’s a celebration of a big play

You’ll see different versions across Atlanta – some exaggerated and silly, some more subtle. There’s no exact “right” version; it’s about joining the Falcons tradition.

Dirty Bird vs. Other Falcons Traditions

Falcons game days in Atlanta now blend old and new traditions. The Dirty Bird is one part of a broader culture.

Understanding the Dirty Bird helps you place the Falcons in Atlanta’s wider sports story, even as newer slogans and songs take center stage.

Where to Go in Atlanta if You’re Interested in Dirty Bird History

While there isn’t a dedicated “Dirty Bird museum,” you can explore Falcons and Dirty Bird culture in a few ways.

1. Mercedes-Benz Stadium Tours

Location: 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Why go:

• Behind-the-scenes look at the Falcons’ current home
• Opportunity to see team displays and historical references
• Get a feel for how the organization honors its past, including the 1998 team

Stadium tours are typically offered on non-game days. Schedules can vary, so it’s best to check in advance through official channels before you go.

2. Falcons Team Store (In and Around the Stadium)

At or near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, official team stores often carry:

• Throwback or retro-style Falcons apparel
• Gear that plays to the “Dirty Bird” nickname or older logos
• Collectibles that reference the team’s earlier eras

These items can be a tangible way to connect to the Dirty Bird tradition if you’re a visiting fan or a newer resident.

3. Local Atlanta Sports Media

If you live in metro Atlanta, local sports radio and TV often revisit Dirty Bird moments, especially:

• Around anniversaries of the 1998 NFC Championship season
• During Falcons historical countdowns or special segments
• When Jamal Anderson or former players are guest commentators

Listening in gives you a locally flavored perspective on why the Dirty Bird matters to this city in particular.

Etiquette Tips for Doing the Dirty Bird in Atlanta

Most Falcons fans are happy to see enthusiasm, whether you’re a lifelong supporter or just visiting. A few common-sense tips:

• ✅ Use it to celebrate: Touchdowns, big plays, win-clinching moments
• ✅ Be respectful of space: Stadium rows and bar areas can be tight
• ✅ Read the room: Not everyone wants to dance after a tough loss
• ✅ Keep it family-friendly: Many Falcons fans bring kids to games

For locals, the Dirty Bird is part inside joke, part civic pride. Joining in respectfully is usually welcomed.

If You’re New to Atlanta or New to the Falcons

Whether you just moved to the city or are visiting for a game:

• Learn the basics of the Dirty Bird dance
• Get familiar with the “Rise Up” slogan and in-stadium chants
• Try to catch at least one game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium if timing allows
• Talk to longtime fans – many Atlantans love sharing stories from the 1998 season

You don’t need to know every detail of team history to fit in; understanding the Dirty Bird spirit is often enough to feel connected on game day.

In Atlanta, the Dirty Bird is more than an old celebration clip—it’s a shorthand for a time when the Falcons shocked the league, the Georgia Dome shook, and the city rallied behind a team that reflected its own resilient, energetic character. If you live here or are just passing through, knowing the Dirty Bird helps you understand how deeply football and city identity are tied together in Atlanta.